Thoughts on Jeppesen's Denver school

Metalmike

Metalmike

Well-Known Member
Hey there. I'm considering going to Jeppesen's school in Denver, and just wondering if anybody here has gone there and can give me a review of sorts. I live in the Midwest and have been to Denver a couple times and am somewhat familiar with the city and enjoyed it there. It's a place I could drive to (about a 9 hour drive), so I'd have a car while I'm there.

Some background I guess: I'm 24, college dropout, pretty much no real cockpit aviation experience, aside from extensive flight simming (lol) and an intro flight in a DA20. I was planning on starting pilot training at a local FBO, but decided after some reading that dispatch, flight planning and such is pretty interesting to me, not to mention I'd rather have a job where I get to sleep in my own bed most nights and see my potential family on a daily basis.

I am somewhat familiar with some basics - building a flight plan using airways, SIDS stars and such, taking winds aloft, weather etc into account, as this is stuff I do often in a planning utilities for the sim. I know that doesn't even scratch the surface but its all something I think I'd love to learn more about and explore as a career.

Anyway, just interested in the general consensus of this school, and any other tips you may have in preparation for it, or some other things I should know about the career in general. From what I've read, it does seem like I'd probably have to relocate, which I'm fine with. Another question I have is, do most dispatchers just work out of the airline's single headquarters, or are there multiple work locations, ie at certain hubs as well?

Thanks for your help,
Michael
 
Metalmike said:
Hey there. I'm considering going to Jeppesen's school in Denver, and just wondering if anybody here has gone there and can give me a review of sorts. I live in the Midwest and have been to Denver a couple times and am somewhat familiar with the city and enjoyed it there. It's a place I could drive to (about a 9 hour drive), so I'd have a car while I'm there.

Some background I guess: I'm 24, college dropout, pretty much no real cockpit aviation experience, aside from extensive flight simming (lol) and an intro flight in a DA20. I was planning on starting pilot training at a local FBO, but decided after some reading that dispatch, flight planning and such is pretty interesting to me, not to mention I'd rather have a job where I get to sleep in my own bed most nights and see my potential family on a daily basis.

I am somewhat familiar with some basics - building a flight plan using airways, SIDS stars and such, taking winds aloft, weather etc into account, as this is stuff I do often in a planning utilities for the sim. I know that doesn't even scratch the surface but its all something I think I'd love to learn more about and explore as a career.

Anyway, just interested in the general consensus of this school, and any other tips you may have in preparation for it, or some other things I should know about the career in general. From what I've read, it does seem like I'd probably have to relocate, which I'm fine with. Another question I have is, do most dispatchers just work out of the airline's single headquarters, or are there multiple work locations, ie at certain hubs as well?

Thanks for your help,
Michael
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For the most part you would be working at the company SOC in whatever city that may be in..Although at FX we do have dispatchers in IND as well as MEM..But most are in MEM
 
Metalmike said:
Hey there. I'm considering going to Jeppesen's school in Denver, and just wondering if anybody here has gone there and can give me a review of sorts. I live in the Midwest and have been to Denver a couple times and am somewhat familiar with the city and enjoyed it there. It's a place I could drive to (about a 9 hour drive), so I'd have a car while I'm there.

Some background I guess: I'm 24, college dropout, pretty much no real cockpit aviation experience, aside from extensive flight simming (lol) and an intro flight in a DA20. I was planning on starting pilot training at a local FBO, but decided after some reading that dispatch, flight planning and such is pretty interesting to me, not to mention I'd rather have a job where I get to sleep in my own bed most nights and see my potential family on a daily basis.

I am somewhat familiar with some basics - building a flight plan using airways, SIDS stars and such, taking winds aloft, weather etc into account, as this is stuff I do often in a planning utilities for the sim. I know that doesn't even scratch the surface but its all something I think I'd love to learn more about and explore as a career.

Anyway, just interested in the general consensus of this school, and any other tips you may have in preparation for it, or some other things I should know about the career in general. From what I've read, it does seem like I'd probably have to relocate, which I'm fine with. Another question I have is, do most dispatchers just work out of the airline's single headquarters, or are there multiple work locations, ie at certain hubs as well?

Thanks for your help,
Michael
Click to expand...

I went to Jeppesen last May and it's a really good program. It's fast paced and intense but I really enjoyed my time there. The instructors I had (Mark Wakefield & John Rezler) are also pretty good. The school has its strengths and weaknesses, as I believe is the case with any school. The weaknesses are, IMO, time management. My class was full (25) with people from 8 different countries with different learning curves. I think there was far too much time spent on some areas and not enough on others. But in this type of program you need to show up prepared, which some did not. It takes determination and dedication on your part to see it through. You cant just rely on the instructors to teach you. You've got to be motivated to do self study as well. You gotta dig deep, so to speak. If you can do that, you'll get through it!

Not having an aviation background can definitely make it harder, as was evidenced by one of my classmates not passing, but people do it all the time. You having a basic knowledge of flight planning, weather, etc...will be of some help. Just study your a** off and you'll do fine. Show up prepared. Don't show up there thinking it's gonna be a breeze and you'll learn everything you need to know once you are there. That's just setting yourself up for failure. Without a doubt, show up ready to take the written. If you have that part down, it will really make your time there less stressful. Trust me!

Definitely stay in the extended stay hotel that Jeppesen will set up for you, as most students will. You'll not only make a lot of friends for life but you'll have study groups every night. Just make sure you join a productive one! My study group helped each other along the way. Seemed like we always had someone who had a strength in an area that was weak for another. Be prepared by eat, sleep and breathe the program. It will be your whole life for 6 weeks.

The facility is actually really nice and their cafe is not only very affordable but quite good!

Good luck and enjoy! Let me know if you have specific questions. Also, contact jeremy.vincent@jeppesen.com for further info on the school.
 
Thanks for the replies. Womanpilot, how should I best prepare to "show up ready to take the written"? Is there a book or something I should get (aside from the materials the school would probably send me upon enrollment)?
 
Metalmike said:
Thanks for the replies. Womanpilot, how should I best prepare to "show up ready to take the written"? Is there a book or something I should get (aside from the materials the school would probably send me upon enrollment)?
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I'm heading there in June, and I'm working through Gleim's ATP book. There are several computer based study software options, too.
 
Metalmike said:
Thanks for the replies. Womanpilot, how should I best prepare to "show up ready to take the written"? Is there a book or something I should get (aside from the materials the school would probably send me upon enrollment)?
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The Gleim ATP is what I used but I preferred the software vs. the book itself. It will come with the materials that Jeremy sends you. The sooner you pay your deposit, the sooner you'll get your books and can get started! The ADX (FAA written exam) is all about memorization. Just take the software practice tests over and over until you've got it down. Don't worry about learning it all... You'll learn what you need to in class. Just memorize the questions.
 
womanpilot73 said:
The Gleim ATP is what I used but I preferred the software vs. the book itself. It will come with the materials that Jeremy sends you. The sooner you pay your deposit, the sooner you'll get your books and can get started! The ADX (FAA written exam) is all about memorization. Just take the software practice tests over and over until you've got it down. Don't worry about learning it all... You'll learn what you need to in class. Just memorize the questions.
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First and foremost, I want to thank womanpilot73 for the extensive comments on all the forums I've read through, very helpful to hear from someone who has "been there" and can provide some unbiased insight. I want to ask two questions, I read that you went to Jeppesen Academy, was this for the Flight Dispatcher course? I've been comparing different programs around the U.S., settling on just two: Jeppesen and Sheffield. Everyone seems to just gush over Sheffield, and I'm not exactly sure why; nothing against Sheffield, but it looks to me like they rent out from a small professional park west of Ft. Lauderdale (next to an orthopedist) while Jeppesen looks like it has a modern training center adjacent to Centennial Airport. Maybe not the greatest idea to contrast and compare based on cosmetics alone, but the difference is pretty startling. Another turn off with Sheffield is that their entire website is one big "let the buyer beware" approach, seemingly warning folks that they'll be sorry if they go anywhere else. That all being said, I'm having a hard time finding the quality and quantity of positive reviews from Jeppesen alumni; the few reviews that I have read about Jeppesen seem to be a mixed bag, such as "waste of time" and "not focused" among other comments, which leave me unsettled. I actually want to read positive reviews about Jeppesen, along with statistics of successful post-graduation employment, so that I don't have to just accept Sheffield by default, if that makes sense.

My second question -- again, thanks to womanpilot73 for opening my eyes here -- revolves around advanced preparation. It didn't even occur to me that I should have started studying long before now, especially for the ADX. My question here is, do you recommend focusing solely on ADX prep in advance of arrival at Flight Dispatch school? Or, are there other topics and areas that warrant early prep as well? And, how much prep time would you recommend? Weeks, or more like months?

Many, many thanks.

---
"Ever higher, always upward."
 
bskTPA said:
First and foremost, I want to thank womanpilot73 for the extensive comments on all the forums I've read through, very helpful to hear from someone who has "been there" and can provide some unbiased insight. I want to ask two questions, I read that you went to Jeppesen Academy, was this for the Flight Dispatcher course? I've been comparing different programs around the U.S., settling on just two: Jeppesen and Sheffield. Everyone seems to just gush over Sheffield, and I'm not exactly sure why; nothing against Sheffield, but it looks to me like they rent out from a small professional park west of Ft. Lauderdale (next to an orthopedist) while Jeppesen looks like it has a modern training center adjacent to Centennial Airport. Maybe not the greatest idea to contrast and compare based on cosmetics alone, but the difference is pretty startling. Another turn off with Sheffield is that their entire website is one big "let the buyer beware" approach, seemingly warning folks that they'll be sorry if they go anywhere else. That all being said, I'm having a hard time finding the quality and quantity of positive reviews from Jeppesen alumni; the few reviews that I have read about Jeppesen seem to be a mixed bag, such as "waste of time" and "not focused" among other comments, which leave me unsettled. I actually want to read positive reviews about Jeppesen, along with statistics of successful post-graduation employment, so that I don't have to just accept Sheffield by default, if that makes sense. My second question -- again, thanks to womanpilot73 for opening my eyes here -- revolves around advanced preparation. It didn't even occur to me that I should have started studying long before now, especially for the ADX. My question here is, do you recommend focusing solely on ADX prep in advance of arrival at Flight Dispatch school? Or, are there other topics and areas that warrant early prep as well? And, how much prep time would you recommend? Weeks, or more like months? Many, many thanks. --- "Ever higher, always upward."
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First of all, congrats on your decision to go to dispatch school! I'm glad that my comments have helped you along the way. I found everyone here to be quite helpful in my quest to gain knowledge about the career well before I decided to take the plunge. Just paying it forward now...

I definitely would NOT base your decision on "cosmetics". I didn't go to Sheffield but know many who did, including a co-worker who just went in November. They are just as highly qualified and successful in turning out licensed dispatchers as Jeppesen. I will agree with your initial impression though...their approach on the website was a huge turnoff for me. Though not wanting to be swayed by that, I still contacted them to gain further information on their program. Unfortunately, the email I sent them got "lost" somehow and I didn't actually get a response from them for 3 weeks. By that time, is already decided on Jeppesen. (I have since discussed that issue with the Pres as Sheffield and have been assured that it is not a usual occurrence and was apologized to, which was appreciated!). I ultimately chose Jeppesen because Jeremy Vincent was always so prompt in getting back to me, they were very professional and were able to accommodate my needs, I love Denver and of course, I thought you can't go wrong with the name Jeppesen. I also had some good advice from people here on the forum and part of that advice was, "choose the school which best fits your needs because in the end, you'll get your license and learn to actually dispatch on the job". Those words are TRUTH.

Every school has it's issues and to be honest, there were a few things that I thought could have been done better. But that is going to happen no matter where you go. Part of the problem was we had people from 8 different countries in our class. Different levels of comprehension and learning styles. So areas that I felt could have had more time devoted to (per my needs) weren't because of time devoted to other areas where I was already proficient. This is where getting into productive study groups with people who already had some experience in operations was a huge help to me. I'm sure there are some in every class. In the end, you have to be totally focused and dedicated, using "all available resources" (classmates, instructors, books, etc...) to make it through.

Advanced prep - I'm not sure about Sheffield, but I do know Jeppesen will send you your flight bag with the entire course content (books, software, etc) once you make your deposit and enroll. I basically studied weather and regulations, and the test prep for the written. I preferred the Gleim software over the book and just took the practice tests over and over until I passed everything. At Jepp, you don't actually take the written till week 3 (I think) so while there I continued to take the practice tests on the software to keep it fresh in my mind.
 
Shoot, accidentally sent before I finished. Anyway, I addressed everything I wanted to I think, but feel free to PM me if you have further questions. Both are great schools - I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck in your choice and prepare to work hard, whichever school you choose!!

P.S. Regarding the things I think Jepp could've done better - in the end I had extra support in the areas I needed, got a great education, and a license. That's what I went there for ;-)
 
Jeppessen is a great place to go to and Jeremy is great teacher. Skywest sends their upgrade employees to Jeppessen as well and seeing as they are the largest us regional that should so something. Sometimes they even have interviews set up for new grads. When I graduated from there, I had four interviews set up the week after I graduated they also have their own dispatch dept and if there is need they sometimes hire from there dispatch class.
 
I recently inquired about some recurrent type training with Eric at Sheffield, while he initially answered my email, he's never answered any further emails. I worked at Jepp for a while, I wasn't directly involved in their Dispatch School, all things considered, it's a good company and I'm sure they do their Dispatch School well.
 
WomanPilot73...You finished up at Jepp last April?...2013? Something seems amiss with my database... ( Im the new JC fact checker :) )
 
FWIW - go to the school you feel at most comfortable with. I went to Sheffield and did not finish the course to due to workload (working full time and taking the online classes up to 4 hours a day) applied and went to Airline Ground School in CVG and loved it. I'm not in high school having to memorize everything known to man - but this school taught me where to get the answers, and source the information needed. Have fun and enjoy the ride.
 
Jeppesen alumni here.. C/o of june 2012 with @womanpilot73

I had a great time at Jeppesen, the school was pretty impressive if you ask me. Everything in the building was brand new.
As womenpilot73 stated, EVERY school will have it ups and downs. It all depends on the student. I requested my flight bag MONTHS before class started. That way i could study at my own pace and had enough time to actually read and understand the info.
Jeppesen worked for us, womanpilot got hired right out of school and is now dispatching in FL.
as for myself, im currently dispatching widebody 767's and A330's from the middle of the pacific ocean!
 
Keola said:
Jeppesen alumni here.. C/o of june 2012 with @womanpilot73

I had a great time at Jeppesen, the school was pretty impressive if you ask me. Everything in the building was brand new.
As womenpilot73 stated, EVERY school will have it ups and downs. It all depends on the student. I requested my flight bag MONTHS before class started. That way i could study at my own pace and had enough time to actually read and understand the info.
Jeppesen worked for us, womanpilot got hired right out of school and is now dispatching in FL.
as for myself, im currently dispatching widebody 767's and A330's from the middle of the pacific ocean!
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Many thanks to @Keola and @womanpilot73. I've been scouring the web in search of reviews for Jeppesen's ADX program, from those who attended. @womanpilot73 suggested I not make a decision based on cosmetics alone, and she's absolutely right; nevertheless, it's hard to look at Jepp's modern, state-of-the-art facility at KAPA and then contrast such with Sheffield's tiny, outdated-looking suite in an office park, next to a doctor's office. I'm leaning towards Jepp at the moment, but would feel a lot more reassured if I could base my decision on some reviews. I understand the need to remain diplomatic in a public forum, but I'm curious if either of you -- or any proud Jepp alum -- would be willing to offer constructive reviews, the good and the bad as it were. I know there are pros and cons to every institution.

Sheffield's whole marketing approach leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. As mentioned previously, their entire website reads like a boogeyman replete with “caveat emptor” (oh the horrors that await you if you go anywhere else but Sheffield). If they are, as they report, the most prestigious and reputable program in the country, why do they spend 90% of their time writing venial content on their website? Can anyone imagine Harvard doing this? That leaves me very suspicious, and to make matters worse, the Sheffield CEO seems to be actively trolling the web searching for any negative (and by negative, I mean constructively critical) review or comment, then resorts to threats and intimidation. What sort of tactic is that? Vladimir Putin would be impressed, comrade! To make matters worse, there's evidence that the negative reviews from Google+ were removed after Sheffield complained and subsequently threatened, and rumors that the Sheffield CEO supposedly uses his connections to make someone's life hell should they write anything unflattering about the institution (e.g. getting people fired, etc.). Forgive the analogy but these are Gestapo tactics at best. I've not once seen anyone from Jepp (or Boeing) attack anyone online, and why would they? I would be beneath them, besides, they're busy making airplanes and such. ;-)

Case in point, Sheffield's strategy seems severely flawed, it could be an excellent program, but these tactics cast serious disrepute on their entire institution. Sheffield should spend more time on improving their quality of instruction (and responding to inquiries from prospective students) as opposed to lashing out against dissent in their seemingly misguided PR/Marketing strategy. I've even reached a point where I don't even trust positive reviews about Sheffield. Were they written by students/graduates, or just one of the alter egos of their CEO? The supposed testimonials on Sheffield's website strike me as unauthentic, lacking a certain genuineness in the quality of the review(s), using verbiage and sentence construct that I find highly suspect. It's really sad that I even have to think this way, and I question how many others out there have similarly been so turned-off by Sheffield's conduct that they similarly eliminate the program from further consideration. If they really were "the best," they should have a zen-like approach to competition and let the results speak for themselves. The whole thing is disturbing.

With all that said, I really want to read some detailed reviews on Jeppesen Academy. I realize they haven't been in the ADX training business as long (think I read they started in 2003), so it's been more difficult to find candid reviews; plus, the CEOs of Jepp and Boeing don't sit on their laptops all day writing fake reviews. Sorry, had to. #sorrynotsorry

Any and all advice, suggestions, recommendations are welcome with my deepest appreciation. Threats, coercion and harassment from Sheff-connected employees and affiliates are not welcome, however, and the right to report any and all misconduct and violations to the applicable regulatory entities with governing jurisdiction thereto, is expressly reserved.
 
FlightController said:
FWIW - go to the school you feel at most comfortable with. I went to Sheffield and did not finish the course to due to workload (working full time and taking the online classes up to 4 hours a day) applied and went to Airline Ground School in CVG and loved it. I'm not in high school having to memorize everything known to man - but this school taught me where to get the answers, and source the information needed. Have fun and enjoy the ride.
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Hey, @FlightController, I appreciate you jumping in on the thread. Knowledge is power, so your advice is really welcome! Do you have a review on AGS written somewhere on here? I'm looking for a rigorous program that prepares me to enter the profession with confidence, and hopefully, full-time employment.

Thank you again.
 
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No_Se said:
I recently inquired about some recurrent type training with Eric at Sheffield, while he initially answered my email, he's never answered any further emails. I worked at Jepp for a while, I wasn't directly involved in their Dispatch School, all things considered, it's a good company and I'm sure they do their Dispatch School well.
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Thanks so much. There's no question that Jeppesen (and Boeing) is a great company; I would just feel more confident reading some in-depth reviews about their ADX training.
 
Hey there bskTPA,
I didn't go to Sheffield but many good folks have and they are happy they did. So, please allow me to offer some "constructive" advice from one newbie to another, I would just drop the whole Sheffield discussion. Your analogies to the Nazi party have been submitted. And I'm still trying to understand why its bad for Sheffield to have offices near a doctor's office.
What Im trying to say is your almost rant about Sheffield might just be turning folks off. It seems you have made your choice to not attend Sheffield. So be happy and keep moving.

About Jeppesen, I can tell you this, the marble floors are marble, the smoked glass and chrome is truly smoked glass and chrome, the desks are sturdy, the pencils give forth their carbon bounty, the printers yield to the ink gods...and in the end The Light From Above doth shine upon every flight plan and I have seen it. And it was good. (A+)!

I will also offer this, I spent waaaay too much time "scouring the web" for so-called reviews of DX schools. There is very little to be had and most of it is on this site.
I have been through many professional career schools....I will say that dispatch training schools are the same as any other "apprentice" type program, they teach you the basics and then you go to work as a junior worker. From what I have been told by those in the biz, most hiring and firing managers dont give a flip where you went to school. You will get the same FAA license in the end.
Ask yourself this, IF Harvard offered DX training, would go there? Why?

Goodnight and Good Luck.
 
TaxiBack said:
Hey there bskTPA,
I didn't go to Sheffield but many good folks have and they are happy they did. So, please allow me to offer some "constructive" advice from one newbie to another, I would just drop the whole Sheffield discussion. Your analogies to the Nazi party have been submitted. And I'm still trying to understand why its bad for Sheffield to have offices near a doctor's office.
What Im trying to say is your almost rant about Sheffield might just be turning folks off. It seems you have made your choice to not attend Sheffield. So be happy and keep moving.

About Jeppesen, I can tell you this, the marble floors are marble, the smoked glass and chrome is truly smoked glass and chrome, the desks are sturdy, the pencils give forth their carbon bounty, the printers yield to the ink gods...and in the end The Light From Above doth shine upon every flight plan and I have seen it. And it was good. (A+)!

I will also offer this, I spent waaaay too much time "scouring the web" for so-called reviews of DX schools. There is very little to be had and most of it is on this site.
I have been through many professional career schools....I will say that dispatch training schools are the same as any other "apprentice" type program, they teach you the basics and then you go to work as a junior worker. From what I have been told by those in the biz, most hiring and firing managers dont give a flip where you went to school. You will get the same FAA license in the end.
Ask yourself this, IF Harvard offered DX training, would go there? Why?

Goodnight and Good Luck.
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@TaxiBack, you make a good point and I appreciate your cool-headed perspective. I joined this forum to solicit candid advice from students and graduates in order to gain a better sense as to the various strengths and weaknesses of the respective programs. I will concede that I was grievously offended to witness Sheffield's CEO parade around this site, threatening, taunting and harassing anyone who dared mention anything critical about his program. He even sent me an unsolicited, snark-laden PM about Jeppesen's classroom desks and chairs, which I found to be utterly unprofessional.

I didn't mean to make analogies to the National Socialist party, something I wouldn't insinuate lightly; but more so, analogously referring to the scare tactics, threats and intimidation on the part of the aforementioned CEO. But you're right, I may very well be turning folks off and could miss out on some quality advice as a result.

Thank you for the wise counsel and guidance. I mean it.
 
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